Conservative summit draws big political names

The nationwide media may be calling this the start of the 2016 campaign season, but Family Leader CEO and President Bob Vander Plaats said that's not his goal this weekend.

Vander Plaats said this weekend is about getting national speakers presenting a conservative worldview to the more than 1,500 Iowans expected to attend Saturday's summit.

Gov. Terry Branstad, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Steve King are among the Iowans speaking.

Sens. Ted Cruz and Rick Santorum and Donald Trump are also on the schedule.

Vander Plaats said about 80 news organizations have applied for access to the summit. He said national politicians know they'll get that kind of media attention in Iowa, and that's partly why they come.

He said even if they aren't planning to run for president, they know they can get their viewpoint heard on any number of topics.

"Not only is this a base they want to get in front of, they also know that all the media comes in on this so it's a way to get their message out," Vander Plaats said.

The Family Leadership Summit is at Stephen's Auditorium in Ames. Vander Plaats said tickets are still available at will-call.

He said attendance looks like it will be up 50 percent over last year.

Watch for coverage from the summit and KCCI's exclusive interview with Donald Trump Saturday night on KCCI 8 News.

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